Mental Health Support
Soothe Your Nerves Anxiety Support Groups
Soothe Your Nerves is a no-cost virtual anxiety support group that draws upon the strength, courage, and culture found in Black Women’s friendship networks. We have adapted this support group from the Soothe Your Nerves book and curriculum that was created by a Black psychologist; Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett, to provide Black women with a space to speak their truth, to be heard, embraced, and received in a loving, relatable way that supports, encourages, and empowers. Our current Soothe Your Nerves Anxiety Support Groups are led by Starla Simmons, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and mom of two, along with, Itania Njei a new mom and doula in training.
The Soothe Your Nerves Anxiety Support Group application is now open.
- Black pregnant and postpartum (up to 18 months) community members are eligiable
- Active participants also get 8 sponsored individual therapy sessions with Black therapists
- The opening and closing sessions are in-person.
- Childcare is provided at in-person sessions.
Apply for the upcoming Soothe Your Nerves Anxiety Support Group Here
Sponsored Therapy
Black Mamas ATX sponsors confidential psychotherapy & counseling with Black therapists for: trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting & relationships, family dynamics, intimate partner violence, spirituality and other concerns. This therapy is available to all Black Mamas ATX clients and to Black clients of other Maternal Health Equity Collaborative (MHEC) organizations, including:
- Healing Hands Community Birthing Project
- Giving Austin Labor Support
- Mama Sana Vibrant Woman
- Partners In Parenting
The sponsored therapy program is part of a collaborative project called Healthy Start Central Texas. It is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,100,000 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
Resources & Downloads
Brochures
Prenatal Care Tips
Benefits of Doulas
Reading
It’s up to us all to change the maternal mortality rate of black women
We’re all familiar with the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” When it comes to Black maternal health in the United States, let’s adapt that to create a new African-American proverb, “It takes a village to save Black moms.” The maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is rising and Black women bear the brunt of it, but that’s not where our story ends. We all have the power to create a new narrative by supporting new and expecting moms.
UT Students Work to End Maternal Mortality
Will Sherratt | Spectrum News AUSTIN, Texas -- Maternal mortality rates are far too high here at home. “It is a persistent problem in Texas and across the United States,” says Parth Gupta, a University of Texas at Austin junior. Texas has high rate of maternal...
Mom who nearly died after childbirth has a message for moms this Mother’s Day
Katie Kindelan | Good Morning America Mother’s Day is always a special celebration for Alia McCants, not only because she is the mom of twin 4-year-olds but also because becoming a mom nearly cost McCants’ her life. McCants, 35, was close to becoming a statistic in...


